Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-04-21

the streets madly to arouse nv slum-
bering courage, when / happened to
come down the alley just in the nick q.
time But where do you live: We
must hurry-the hour is over, and"
Tears sprang to her eyes
"Oh! my unhappy friend. what was
it that brought You to this desperate
determination?'
What is the use of telling you the
course of q wasted lifea You are too
young and beautiful and happy to un-
derstand the misery of life as under
stand it. All is past now. and this last
act and your gratitude will make the
end less bitter"
"But, in Heavens name. can dc
nothing to save you? Are you in need ?
My father is rich, and will do every
thing. know, to tear those terrible
thoughts from your heart"
He shook his head slowly and reached
her his hand. as they stopped before
a handsome mansion on Washington
place.
Goodbye" he said, in a low voice
II thank you for your sympathy and
your interest, but il is of no use 1t is
too late. Death has no terrors for me-
Goodbye"
But she held him back.
"Oh! don't 90 for moment Listen
to reason. Bodily deprivations have
sapped up your courage. You must
have something to give You strength
and nourishment- Here, take this!"
and she pressed her purse into his
hand. 1T is not much. but it will keep
you from need for the present That
is for the unhappy one. and this. :"
taking off diamond ring from her fin
ger, this is for my rescuer."
She pushed the ring on the little fin
ger of his left hand. and looked up anx-
iously into his pale face.
'Wil you not promise me-" she
continued. ''to give up your terrible
purpose. at least for to-day. Will you
not for my sake put it off twenty-four
hours?'
"Twenty-four hours! an eternity!
Why do you torture me-but promise
your
His deep voice sank to . whisper and
a deep sigh escaped him.
Il viii keep my promise, for am
even now a man Of my word"
Come tomorrow afternoon to our
house, and know my father will do
what he can to help YOU"
''Oh, ask no more from me. The
wound is too deep. Do not step in the
way of my salvation. Twenty-fouI
hours! have promised that. But the
remembrance of your sympathy will
make it easier. Goodbye - for
He pressed her hand. then tore him.
self away. and soon disappeared in the
darkness.
The girl stood on the steps few
minutes. looking after him. Tears
filled her eyes Presently she went up
the steps and entered the house.
twas about eleven o'clock at night.
A young man sat on one of the benches
in Union square and looked anxiously
up and down. evidently waiting fol
some one. Finally a tall man ap-
preached him and sat down on the
bench.
"Well?' asked the young man.
THAT was good haul Here is an
elegant purse with twenty dollars in it,
and a diamond ring. which We can
hang up for twenty-five dollars at
least. besides the watch you nipped."
That's great go of yours. pal"'
Immense! When every thing else
plays out shall 60 on the stage. You
ought to have heard me; the unutter-
able tragic tone. the trembling voice
my last good deed y" And he burst
into an uproarious tit of laughter that
resounded across the silent square.
''She fell in -
IL should smile. She tremblcd like
leaf and begged me with choking
voice not TO take the fatal step. She
was handsome. too. and rich. believe
she would have married me on the
spot. And. Bill. promised her l
wouldn't kill myself for twenty-four
hours. And l mean to keep it, too"
Then they both laughed again.
..But lets trot, man. I'm terrible
thirsty"
well. here is your shooting-iron.
Put it away for next time" said the
tall man. as they walked away.
But I'll give you one pointer. Jim.
You needn't hit me so devilish hard
again. Ill fall all right"
The two rogues passed overto Twen-
ty-fifth street, and went into a concert
garden just off the square.-Jan Exert
son, in Inter Ocean.